Newsletter Februrary 23rd.
Term One Learning
This term we have been learning all about each other. As part of our learning, we are finding out who is in our family, our family history, where our family is from and things that are important to us. I will send home some homework on Monday for your child to fill in and bring back to share. This homework will involve conversations about family and sharing photos and artifacts that are important to each family.
Values
We are narrowing down the values that are important for Rangitaiki School families for 2020. I would like you to look at the list I will attach to the childrens homework sheet and circle 4 that you think are cornerstone values for the children in our community. It is a very hard activity as all of the values and virtues listed are important. There is also space for you to write a list of some that you are thinking about that don’t appear on my list.
Dog Trials
The dog trials are taking place at Lochinver Station on the 19th and 20th of March. The hall and school community run the cafe at the trials as well as feeding the judges etc. Can you please either helping out on the day at the trials for a few hours or by supplying some baked goods to sell. If you are able to spare some time on the 19th or 20th please contact Lorraine Mears at Lochinver Station. If you are able to do some baking, please drop it off at school before the 19th.
Playgroup
The playgroup is now on a Thursday morning. This change of day seems to be better for our local mums and preschoolers. They had a wonderful morning last Thursday playing in the playroom and outside with the water play equipment. I love this photo of the school students enjoying the water play as much as the little people. PLAYGROUP THURSDAY FROM 8.30 ONWARDS.
BARN DANCE
Yeehaa! the Barndance is back. The date is the 23rd of May and tickets are available online at Eventbrite. Just google Rangitaiki barn dance 2020 and it will take you to the page. Please note that this event was a sell-out last year and tickets will sell quickly so get online to secure your tickets now.
Outdoor Learning Area
It was an exciting week for our building project. The builders have started to put the roof on the outdoor shade space and took the wall and skylight out of the hallway to make room for the new windows and roof. Make sure you come and have a look next time you are passing. It is going to be a great place for community evenings and events.
Oral Language
A strong educational focus for the whole Taupo area is ‘Oral language’. As a Community of Learning, we have a goal to improve the oral language for all children in our area. Teachers in preschools and schools in the wider Taupo area will be taking part in professional development in teaching and strengthening oral language in our classrooms and centers
You can help at home by taking the time to talk to your babies and children often. They love to listen to you reading books or magazines, singing, and reciting nursery rhymes. (You would be surprised how many students do not know any nursery rhymes). Check out this resource for ideas.
ELP-Talking-Matters-ESOL-starter-packs-LANGUAGE-GUIDE.
Athletics
Our school athletics day will be on the 13th of March at 1 pm. The children will start practicing this week. They will all take part in long and short distance running, long jump, high jump and vortex throwing. The children will compete in years 1 and 2 together and years 3 and 4 together.
Ironkidz
The annual Ironkids triathlon is on Sunday the 1st of March. This event is a fantastic opportunity for children to have a go at a triathlon. They run a special event called the Splash n dash for younger children. The whole event is run well and such a great day out for the whole family. In the past years, we have had many students participating in the triathlon and our school has won funds for having such a big percentage of the school participating. Check out the Ironkids Taupo website for more information.
Board news
The board held its first meeting on the 19th of February. The school charter and strategic plan were signed off as well as the school budget and 2019 annual review report. All of these will be available on the school web site in the next few weeks. The minutes from the meetings are always available for parents to read in our staffroom. The next meeting is Wednesday the 18th of March. 6.30 pm in the staffroom.
Andrea Haycock
Principal
